Next Level Chef recap episode 4: Is that really a chicken nugget?

As the teams prepare for their third cook, the episode 4 Next Level Chef recap added another element to the FOX culinary competition. While the ingredients and theme might put the cooks on edge, the team captains have added another element to give their team an advantage. Did the strategy work?

For this episode’s main challenge, the teams had to create a poultry dish. While many home cooks might think of chicken, turkey or maybe duck, the reality is that poultry is a wide array of protein options. From quail to squab, it is more than just a plain chicken breast.

As many fans of food television appreciate, chefs generally are not fans of the boring chicken beast. Although it can be a health conscious protein, it can lack flavor. Given the limited time frame, a bland dish will not impress the judges. These plates need to stand out in the sea of sameness.

Since it is still very early in the culinary competition, the highlighted cooks are either in the top or the bottom. It is unfortunate that many good dishes barely get a passing comment. Given that poultry, especially chicken and turkey, is a common home cook ingredient, it might have been inspiring to see those dishes and appreciate the flavors. Sometimes home cooks watch culinary competitions to be inspired.

Was there a new twist added in this Next Level Chef recap episode 4?

While a couple of dishes were clearly a stand out, it was obvious that Team Ramsay was going to win. Even though they were in the basement kitchen, their dishes had the most creativity and the best execution.

Although the premise of Next Level Chef had pushed the struggles of cooking in a basement, the reality is that the basement has shown some of the best dishes. Maybe being in the bottom with limited ingredient choice helps to narrow the cooks’ focus. Sometimes being pushed into a dish is better than having too many options.

Team Blais and Team Arrington would be battling in the elimination round. As the judges’ picked their cooks, it was a totally different strategy. Nyesha Arrington picked Sergio, who has struggled from the beginning.

That decision was similar to previous challenges. Picking the bottom chef makes sense. If a chef cannot produce a great dish as part of a team, why should he skate through on the coattails of others. There is an idea to reward the best and make the worst fight for their position.

Richard Blais took a different approach. Blais picked Courtney, who did well in the poultry challenge. Blais’ reasoning was that Courtney has begun to rise to the occasion. The hope was that her cooking would secure the win.

While that strategy makes sense, it is risky. Any chef can have a bad cook. Does a team want to risk a good performer in the Next Level Chef elimination round? But, the team leader does need to have confidence in his cooks.

Looking at the two final dishes, it came down to extra elements on the plate, not the protein. While neither cook elevated the truffle flavor, there seemed to be more missed opportunities. Although the chicken was well-cooked on both plates, several elements missed the mark.

While the split decision came down to Gordon Ramsay picking the losing dish, the biggest mistake on the plate was the ultimate factor. Sergio chose to put potatoes in a blender. That technique causes a gummy texture which was not appetizing. It is an error that should not have been made. Sergio was sent home.

Now that each team has lost a cook, it will be interesting to see if a team can go on a winning streak. Given that Team Ramsay seems to have several chefs that are or are near the top, they could go on a run. It will be interesting to see what happens if one team loses too many chefs. Could there be a reshuffle or will one cook have to continually fight for his life.

Next Level Chef airs on Wednesday nights on FOX and can be streamed online.